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Atlanta Braves Get Over the Hump

Columnist Written on July 02, 2009

ATLANTA - JUNE 25: Casey Kotchman #22 of the Atlanta Braves against the New York Yankees at Turner Field on June 25, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I hate to say it, but if I want to become a professional writer one day I might as well face it now. The Atlanta Braves are finally playing winning baseball.

Usually when I write such things the Braves take a nosedive, which is why I waited until after they extended their season long win streak to four games. I wrote an article after they won three in a row a few weeks ago and they proceeded to lose 12 of 17 games.

So, naturally I decided to hold off until they got over that three game winning streak speed bump that they have hit three times already this season.

The three game set against the Phillies showed me something I have not seen out of the Braves all season—timely hitting, great pitching, and stellar chemistry all at the same time in the same game.

Sunday's awesome outing by June's rookie of the month, and future Rookie of the Year Tommy Hanson got Atlanta going. After losing four in a row to the Yankees and Red Sox, Hudson pitched another gem and officially became the stopper in this rotation. The only two wins on this homestand belonged to him until the Braves finally came together to sweep the Phils.

I stated earlier this week that the Braves needed to win nine of their final 13 heading into the All-Star break, and that has not changed. Now, they seemingly have the opportunity not only to do that, but maybe even better.

All that's needed in this division is a sustained winning streak from one of the four contenders.

The Braves now head to Washington and have every opportunity to push the streak to seven games. I know, I know... it's baseball. Almost nothing is certain in this game, but given Atlanta's recent hotness and Washington's perennial struggles the Braves should easily take this series.

I'm going to enjoy this four game win streak right now. It's been horrible watching this team play great for two games and then horribly for four all season long.

On Thursday the Braves got over that three game hump and now the sky is the limit.

Stay hot, Atlanta, stay hot!

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written on July 02, 2009 Opinion

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